Any time you’re in a dispute with the insurance company, you should consider hiring a lawyer to represent you. You will need to gather evidence in order to challenge the insurance company’s position, which may include taking depositions, requesting an independent medical examination, and hiring expert witnesses—all of which require legal knowledge and skill. Some examples are:

• Your claim is denied
• Your our permanent disability rating is disputed
• You have a preexisting condition
• Your ability to work has been affected
• You’re receiving other government benefits

A workers compensation lawyer can also help you to be aware of other ways to get compensated for your injury. Workers compensation is generally the exclusive way an employee can seek any compensation after a workplace injury. However, in some instances third-party lawsuits are possible. In a third-party lawsuit, you can attempt to seek damages against a party other than your employer. For example, if a defective piece of machinery or equipment was involved in your accident, a third-party lawsuit could be possible against the manufacturer of the defective equipment.